Just when you think the world has changed and peoples' attitude toward gays, lesbians, and transgendered individuals may have become just a bit more positive, a news story pops up that reminds me that some people still HATE! The picture, not a recent incident, is of 2 young gay men hanging in Iran, their only crime was they were gay. Just today it was reported that A 19-year-old gay man from Iran who was refused asylum in Britain and fled to Holland will be deported back to the UK to face an extradition hearing that could send him back to Iran, where he too will face imprisonment, torture, and possible execution. Mehdi Kazemi fled Iran following the execution of his partner after being found guilty of sodomy. Kazemi hoped to find a safe haven in England. "What would you expect from Iran?" you might ask. However, I'm not sure the attitude toward gays, lesbians, and transgendered individual is much better in the US.In the last year alone, young gay people have died at the hands of straight friends in central Florida, been beaten to death after leaving a bar in Greenville, S.C., and assassinated in an eighth grade classroom in California. Last weekend in Athens, Ga., a 17-year old gay man carrying a purse was beaten and verbally gay-bashed by three boys he knew. Then we have a Congresswoman, Sally Kern, who should be promoting civil rights, bash gays, saying they are a worse threat to the US than terrorists!
When are people going to just let people be who God made them to be? A person has a right to not like it! Someone can have a hard time understanding it! Some may not even accept it! But does that give them the right to kill or infringe on someone else's right? Maybe the US isn't any better than Iran!
4 comments:
Karl,
I can't speak for the rest of the world, but the gay-bashing in this country has a lot to do with the current political climate and the religious right's constant attacks on us.
Of course Iran is a theocratic society so they can take bashing a step further and kill gays and lesbians.
I really wish gays and lesbians in this country would form a truly strong political force (shit, if the NRA can do it, we can do it),to pressure the lawmakers - marches and slogans are passe, it is time for action!
As for the young man, hopefully Amnesty International is involved to help him.
Please let me know if there is anyone we can write to about this young man. Has Amnesty or any of the Human Rights organizations heard of his situation?
They routinely send me emails about horrific situations, and then we start a letter writng campaign to the King Swami of Somewhere VFB, World,and said Swami is somehow influenced enough by the letters to let the person go.
Let me know who I can write to!
medbh
I never saw this picture before. terrible.
Here's a link to the European Parliament..........not sure if it will help , but you can contact them. Also, US State Dept.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/default_en.htm
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